You talk about the context of pisteuo in James 2:19 – yet you ignore the context of the entire passage (James 2:14-26).
I did not ignore the context at all. James is discussing the
evidence of faith (
says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and
not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3) Man is saved through faith and not by works (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9); yet genuine faith is (evidenced) by works. (James 2:14-26).
*Christ saves us through faith based on the merits of His finished work of redemption "alone" and not based on the merits of our works.* (Romans 3:24-28)
It is through faith "in Christ alone" (and not based on the merits of our works) that we are justified on account of Christ (Romans 4:5-6; 5:1; 5:9); yet the faith that justifies does not remain alone (unfruitful, barren) if it is genuine. (James 2:14-26) *Perfect Harmony*
I already explained to you in post #137 that In James 2:19, we read the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they
do not believe in/have faith in/trust and reliance in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, they
do not believe in/on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31)
and are not saved. Their trust and reliance are in Satan as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works. Hence, the lack of good works. You seem to believe that all belief/faith is the same "except for the lack of good works" cannot seem to grasp this
deeper faith which
trusts in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
His entire reason for mentioning the belief of the demons (v. 19) is that they have no works. He concludes that faith without works is NOT faith at all.
Now why do you think the demons lack good works? A good tree produces good fruit,
but a bad tree produces bad fruit. (Matthew 7:17) Not all belief/faith is the same. Faith that produces no good works at all is not genuine faith but a bare profession of faith. In James 2:14, we read of one who
says/claims he has faith but has
no works (to
evidence his claim). That is not genuine faith, but a
bare profession of faith.
So, when James asks, "Can
that faith save him?" he is saying nothing against genuine faith, but only against an
empty profession of faith/dead faith. So, James
does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to
show the reality of the faith
professed by the individual (James 2:18) and
demonstrate that the faith
claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is
genuine.
Works are an essential element of faith – not an addition to it.
False. Works are the fruit, by product and demonstrative evidence of genuine faith but not the very essence of faith and also not the basis or means by which we obtain salvation.
And NOT works of our own so that we could boast – but the works GOD prepared in advance for us to complete (Eph. 2:10).
We are saved by grace through faith, not works, then we are created in Christ Jesus unto/for good works that we should walk in them. It's not about saved by "these" works and just not "those" works. We are not saved by works in general. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..).
When Paul lists what is important –Love (charity) is at the TOP of his list as being greater than Faith or Hope (1 Cor. 13:13).
Love is greater because God is love and it outlasts faith and hope. Long after the "evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1) are now seen and we are no longer looking for the "blessed hope" (expectation of what is sure) and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13) because we are now in His presence, love will still be the principle that governs all that God, and his saints are and do throughout eternity.
Paull goes on to remind us in Galatians – that love is NOT just a “feeling”, but action -
Gal. 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Paul says that faith works through or expresses itself through love. Faith is faith, love is love and actions which follow and are produced out of faith and love are works. You don't seem to make a distinction between faith, love and actions/works. This would explain why you teach salvation by faith AND WORKS.